Here is today's summary of economic development news, a free service of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, representing Alabama's private sector investment in economic development. If you enjoy NewsFlash, thank an
EDPA Partner.

Alabama set a new record for exports in 2017, and Birmingham's role in the state's global trade output could be getting bigger.

Our new List of Alabama export destinations reveals the top markets for Alabama exports based on total 2017 dollar value data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. We've recapped the top five export destinations below and have made the full List available online for subscribers
here.

The total dollar value of exports from Alabama hit $21.7 billion last year, which is a 6.4 percent increase from the previous all-time record set in 2016. When it comes to exports to the top 25 markets, total value rose by about 7 percent to $19.5 billion in that span.

National publication Site Selection again rated Alabama among the top states in its annual
State Business Climate survey, reflecting its consistent attractiveness for high-value economic development projects.

Overall, Site Selection ranked Alabama No. 8 in its Business Climate analysis, tied with Indiana. In a survey that is a major component of the Site Selection analysis, site selection consultants and corporate real estate executives placed Alabama No. 7 among the states.

Alabama scored in the Top 10 in both categories in the
2016 and
2017 Site Selection surveys.

GREENVILLE, Alabama - Auto supplier
Hwashin America Corp. announced plans to expand its Butler County manufacturing operation with a $26 million investment in new equipment and 50 new jobs.

Hwashin, which produces body components for Hyundai's Alabama auto assembly plant, has been in expansion mode since arriving in Greenville in 2003. The operation began with a 150,000-square-foot facility and 200 workers. Today, the company's 650,000-square-foot plant is staffed with more than 750 workers.

The city of Fairhope, the Baldwin Community and Economic Development Foundation and The University of Alabama (UA) recently announced the opening of Hatch, a downtown business resource incubator and tech hub aimed at providing guidance and linkages to statewide resources for local entrepreneurs in the early stages of forming a startup company.

The new center held a grand opening in Fairhope last Friday, Nov. 2.

"Since Fairhope's beginning, the city has attracted entrepreneurs and independent thinkers," Fairhope Mayor Karin Wilson said. "Many cities spend considerable effort to develop 'think tanks.' We believe that Fairhope is the perfect place to launch Hatch and we are excited to support and partner with The University of Alabama and the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance on this initiative

The groundbreaking date has been set for the $1.6 billion auto plant to be built in Huntsville as months of site preparation is drawing to a close.

The groundbreaking for the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA plant in Limestone County will take place on Nov. 16 - an event that's expected to include more than just speeches from politicians and the ceremonial tossing of dirt with golden spades.

The groundbreaking is expected to be a day full of activities and celebration and private invitations have already been sent out ahead of the public announcement of the date, which is planned to occur in the next few days.

Undergraduate students at the
University of Alabama can enroll in the state's first educational neuroscience program by the fall 2020 semester.

Educational neuroscience is an emerging, multidisciplinary field that connects brain and cognitive science with educational research and practice. For instance, researchers are able to monitor brain development and activity to determine the effects of environmental and teaching influences. The ultimate goal is for educational neuroscience research to eventually shape learning and teaching practices.

The major will be available through
UA's College of Education and will include new courses on diverse topics such as neural correlates of reading and mathematical cognition, neuroimaging and electrophysiological research methods, among others. An overview of the program can be found
here.